Party a chance to fundraise while dogs have fun at beach

CENTERVILLE — Sampson, a 202-pound English mastiff, strutted his stuff down the "catwalk" on the road at Craigville Beach on Saturday afternoon as dozens of other pooches, and their human owners, looked on.

CENTERVILLE — Sampson, a 202-pound English mastiff, strutted his stuff down the "catwalk" on the road at Craigville Beach on Saturday afternoon as dozens of other pooches, and their human owners, looked on.

Sampson stood out, but there were many dogs of different shapes and sizes at the first Paws at the Beach pet party, hosted by the Cold Noses Foundation.

Barnstable beaches close to dogs on May 15, so the event was an opportunity for the foundation to organize event for local dog owners and raise money for homeless and neglected animals on Cape Cod. The foundation holds events throughout the year.

"They love to run the beach and play with all the other dogs," said Sampson's owner Hercules Haseotes, of Osterville. The mastiff was dubbed the event's biggest dog. His brother Bruno, a 40-pound puggle, did not qualify for the competition.

While humans braced for the bone-chilling wind, the dogs didn't seem to mind. Tails wagged and mouths drooled throughout the event.

Joanne Brown, a volunteer dog photographer from South Yarmouth, and her Bernese mountain dog Haley are regulars at Craigville because the beach near her house doesn't allow dogs.

During the summer, she plans on taking Haley on walking trails, but wishes there were most pet-friendly venues in the area.

"There isn't a lot of opportunity for dogs because most of Cape Cod is beach," Brown said. "It would be great if at least a part of the beaches were dog-friendly."

Vendors sold handmade gifts and dog clothes, and local shelters and rescue organizations collected donations.

Police K-9 units also made an appearance Saturday. Five patrol dogs and one narcotics dog from the Barnstable and Yarmouth Police departments demonstrated criminal apprehension techniques they use in the field.

Barnstable police Officer Troy Perry who works with Izzo, a Dutch Shepherd,, said that K-9s work to keep police and civilians safe and sometimes respond to five calls in one night.

"We don't like to humanize the dogs," Perry said. "But we want people to know that they do have personalities."

Perry was raising money for the Barnstable Police K-9 Foundation, which helps pay for the care of the dogs.

Meaghan Mackell, of Centerville, and her dog Rocky sat at The Boxer Rescue table trying to raise awareness for the cause. The group focuses on finding foster homes, and eventually permanent homes, for abandoned Boxers in the state.

Mackell said the despite the large population of dogs on Cape Cod, the region makes it hard for owners to find housing or take them for walks.

"They really are like people," she said. "They are a part of the family."

Rocky, a 7-year-old Boxer rescue, will be the best man in Mackell's wedding this spring.